Nottinghamshire’s search for an overseas signing did not go entirely to plan, as they had to bide their time to land a quality addition.

Finding top level players willing to play county cricket for an extended period proved to be a challenge in an era where money, and more of it, can be made elsewhere for less work.

Patience paid off though as they eventually snapped up Ross Taylor, the New Zealand batsman who is perhaps less well known than countryman Kane Williamson, but who has a record to suggest few players are as under-rated in world cricket.

It is hard to believe Notts could have made many better signings, considering he will play in eight Specsavers County Championship and eight Royal London One Day Cup games.

Taylor averages 48 in Test cricket and 46 in one day cricket, with his form since having a benign growth removed from his left eye boosting those figures nicely.

At 34, he is entering the veteran stage and Taylor admits that is one reason he was happy to come to play county cricket for what might be the last lengthy spell of his career.

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New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor celebrates his century during the 4th ODI between New Zealand and England in Dunedin (Image: Getty)

“I’m not getting any younger. I’ve got a young family. My son is four, turning five next year, so this might be the last chance I get to play an extended period of red ball cricket in England,” he told the Post.

“I’ve always wanted to bat in Division One and you’ve got the World Cup in England next year, so it gives me some practice.

“Really, it all made sense. I hope the County Championship is still attractive to players.

“It’s certainly attractive to me. I love red ball cricket. I love playing Test cricket and it’s still something I feel I can improve in.

“I’d like to continue to work on my game. Playing eight Championship rounds will be fun.”

Notts have a proud and long connection with Kiwis, dating back to perhaps the club’s greatest ever player, Sir Richard Hadlee.

Since then, Chris Cairns, Stephen Fleming, Andre Adams and most recently Ish Sodhi have served with distinction.

Taylor who has played for Durham and Sussex previously, has not consulted with any of his countrymen about the move, although current Notts batsman Alex Hales and former player James Taylor did extol the club’s virtues.

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Ross Taylor is congratulated by Jos Buttler of England after New Zealand win game four of the One Day International series (Image: Getty)

“Notts are a very attractive club to sign for. It’s always nice to play at a Test venue and they are coming off the back of a great season,” he said.

“It’s a club with history and tradition and some of our best ever players have played there like Sir Richard Hadlee, Chris Cairns and Stephen Fleming.

“Andre Adams is someone who did very well at Notts too. I caught up with him a few weeks before this came up and I’ll be seeing him soon at our Test in Auckland, so I can ask him a few questions then.

“Ish Sodhi was there last year and had good success. Alex Hales and James Taylor have been over here playing for England, or commentating in Titch’s (Taylor) case.

“Those guys had nothing but good things to say about the club.

“I wasn’t worried, but it’s reassuring they reaffirmed what a good club it is.”

Surprisingly, Taylor averages only 30.17 in red ball cricket at Trent Bridge. Nonetheless, the onus is on him to deliver as Notts go into the season with only six other senior batsmen.

Taylor will have limited time to prepare for English conditions as he does not arrive in England until four days before the season starts. But he is relishing the challenge – and the chance to help other players.

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Taylor does know not too many of his new teammates personally, although there is one exception in opening batsman Chris Nash having lined up alongside him for Sussex, not that he wanted reminding of that when he spoke to the Post from his homeland ahead of their upcoming Test series against England.

He joked: “I was trying to forget about him!

“No, I know Chris Nash very well, he’ll be a great addition to Notts,” he added.

“He’s done very well for a long time at Sussex and he’ll definitely add some humour to that dressing room, that’s for sure.”